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Topic: Kickstart or electric? (Read 3867 times)

I'm still trying to narrow down which RE to buy. I notice that there's still some 4 speed kickstart only models available and can't help wondering if simpler is better, especially on a vintage machine. I did see that someone had problems with the electric foot when the back missfires/kicksback. I tend to lean towards simplest is best, but then again I don't know if you can get a kickstart only Classic with 5 speed box? That would seem to be a good combination. I think I'm leaning more towards the Classic than the Electra variants, mainly for the styling and maybe better parts availability in the long term, as it seems the AVL may be a short lived motor, any thoughts folks?

I think all the newer 5-speeds are electric start, but not to worry. They also come with the kicker. There are some RE riders who never use their electric starter (or seldom), feeling that kicking the machine brings them closer.

It depends on how much you want to go back to 1950s basics and live with the slight risks involved in only having a kickstart:

- embarassment if it cuts out at traffic lights and then won't start quickly- embarrassment if it won't start while people are watching- rapid onset of personal exhaustion if it's being really un-cooperative

However, when you have the bike well-maintained, you get an excellent feeling of pride when you just give the kick-start a nonchalant little prod and the engine fires up!

A kick start is capable of doing you injury, if your timing is out even a little - I have a broken foot and ankle caused by the kickstart. That should be kept in mind when deciding what system you want.

Once owning a kick-start only Yamaha SR500 I can attest to the relative ease in starting the bike by foot.

However,

there were a few times when the bike stalled at an intersection and didn't want to start quite as easy as it did at home when cold. That was embarrassing.

I would get the RE with both (as the new ones have) starters and use the kick-starter as much as possible.

What the professor said...

I rarely use the E-start on my Electra - and am basically saving it for the winter months. (It's a PITA to be bundled up in full winter regalia on an 18 degree morning, then dripping with pre-ride sweat after trying to kick start the beast for several minutes....).

Besides, with the Electra's decompression mechanism it's almost as hard to E-start the bike as it is to kickstart it (that is, if you want to release the compression on the piston prior to E-starting it).

Indeed it is! My 350 is going to have to spend a week unused after it kicked back at me a few days ago! Luckily only sprained my calf rather than re-tore the muscles which I damaged 10 years ago or it'd have been at least a month with no m'cycling. Good job I've got an electic boot back up Virago as well.As (in UK at any rate) bikers are in general an aging population, there seem to be lots of older bikes for sale with the stated reason that "I need an electric starter"!

I was able to get a great deal on my 2000 classic because it is KS only. Previous owner was going to give it to his 18 year old son but the boy didn't want it because it had no cheater switch. (kids today! probably wanted a crotch rocket) My bike will start with a very light stroke first time every time. Amal carb with tickler helps I think and it takes practice finding that sweet spot just past TDC. I've never owned a Bullet ES but I've read a lot of posts about troubles with the sprag clutch. Some owners have even gone to a lot of time and expense to remove the ES. Do they even offer a new KS only anymore??